By Israel Hayom—
Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17% in 2017, with a huge 37% spike in anti-Semitic attacks, marking the third year in a row that such attacks have increased, according to FBI data released on Tuesday.
The release of the data comes just weeks after a gunman burst into a Pittsburgh synagogue and shot dead 11 worshippers while shouting, “All Jews must die.”
According to the FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics report, a total of 7,175 hate crimes were reported by law enforcement agencies in 2017, up from 6,121 incidents in 2016. The agency did not offer a reason for the increase.
Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said in a statement that hate crimes were “despicable violations” of American values.
“I am particularly troubled by the increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes,” Whitaker said.
The report showed a 37% jump in anti-Semitic incidents, from 684 in 2016 to 938 in 2017.
Critics say U.S. President Donald Trump’s rhetoric has fomented a surge in right-wing extremism. The Trump administration has rejected any notion that he has encouraged white nationalists and neo-Nazis who have embraced him, insisting the president’s true aim is to unify America. Continue Reading…